Log grapple



N. R. IRRER LOG GRAPPLE Aug. 29, 1950 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 Zmnentor NORMAN R. IRRER FIG 2 Q1 L Wm (Ittomeg Patented Aug. 29, 1950 :3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 7 if 2,520,722 y LOG GRAPPLE i 1 Norman R. Irrer, St..Jhns, Mich.

Application August 4, 1948, Serial No. l2,519

- 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to a grapple and more particularly to a type thereof easily mountable upon the rearv end of a tractor for engaginga log.

The conventional method for moving a large log where a tractor is available is to encircle .the log with a chain, which chain is then hitched .to the tractor. When a log is moved by this method, the tractor operator must dismount from th tractor, manually raise the log in order to encircle it with the chain, hitch the chain to the tractor, and then climb back upon the tractor. Such a method is slow and arduous.

Often, when the log is large in'diameter, it is virtually impossible for one man to place the chain around the log without exposing himself to a physical strain. Furthermore, that portion of the chain between the log and the ground considerably impedes the movement of the tractor when the log is dragged.

Many tractors, such as the Ford-Ferguson type, are equipped with hydraulic lift mechanisms which are designed to sustain a maximum load at certain points. Consequently, traction implements are preferably especially designed for such tractors to utilize these maximum load points.

Therefore, a need becomes apparent for a means, particularly adaptable'to a tractor having a hydraulic lift mechanism, for quicklyand positively engaging a log without necessitating the dismounting of the tractor operator.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to rovide a log engaging device which is easily and quickly attachable to the rear end of a tractor, especially one having a lift mechanism, for securely engaginga log which can then be moved byv the tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device, as aforesaid, which can be conveniently and effectively manipulated from the drivers seat of the tractor by the tractor operator.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent to persons familiar with this type of equipment upon referring to the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following specification.

In meeting those objects and purposes heretofore mentioned, as well as others incidental thereto and associated therewith, I have provided a pair of barbed tongs which are loosely supported at their pivot point within a ring. A pair of hitching arms are secured to and extend Substantially radially from said ring at diametrically opposed points thereon. The legs of the tongs, one of which is provided with a handle, are curved away from each other on one side of their pivot point.

For illustrations of a particular preferred embodiment of my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is an oblique, fragmentary view of the rear end of a tractor with the log grapple towhich this invention relates operably attached thereto.

FigureZ is a plan View of said grapple.

The log grapple IE3 (Figures 1 and 2) is com-- prised of a pair of tongs I I which are removably supported near their pivot point l2 within the locking ring I3 which is preferably at the center of the draw bar l4. 7

The draw bar M is comprised of said locking ring l3 and a pair of substantially co-axial draw arms !5 and iii which are secured, as by welding, at one end of each tosaid locking ring l3 at diametrically opposite points thereon so that said draw arms extend away from the locking ring [3 radially in approximately opposite directions.

A pair of hitching rods H and it, which are parallel with and secured to the draw arms l5 and respectively, extend substantially beyond those ends of the draw arms l5 and It remote from the locking ring 3. The hitching rod ex tended ends 2! and 22 of the hitching rods l1 and 58, respectively, are preferably of such length that they are engageable with the ball and socket joints 23 and 24 (Figure 1) near the free ends of the lift arms 25 and 26, respectively, of a conventional hydraulic lift mechanism 21 supported upon the rear of a tractor 28. Suitable cotter pin openings 29 are provided near the extremities of the brace rod extended ends it and 22 for the reception of appropriate cotter pins 3i (Figure l) therethrough.

The tongs H have a pair of legs -32 and 33 which are pivoted at said point i2 by means of the pivot bolt 34. The leg 32 and 33 are pivoted substantially closer to one end than to the other end of each. The longer portions of the legs 32 and $3, hereinafter referred to as the gripping portions 35 and 36, respectively, are curved toward each other near their free extremities, which extremities are provided with barbs 31 and :18, respectively. A pair of stops 49 and 4| are secured to the leg gripping portions 35 and 36, respectively, adjacent to the pivot point I2. The stops as and 4|, which may be made of metal, prevent the leg gripping portions 35 and 36 from approaching each other beyond a certain predetermined position.

The leg short portions, hereinafter referred to as the leg locking portions 42 and 43 of the legs 32 and 33, respectively, curve away from eachother to such an extent that it is impossible to pull them through the ring l3 when the legs 32 and 33 are being held together in operable position by means of the pivot bolt 34. A handle secured, as by welding, to a free end of one of the leg locking portions, here the leg locking portion 52. 7

It will be'understood that although the log grapple I0 is herein disclosed for operation with a tractor, such as the Ford-Ferguson type, hav ing a hydraulic lift mechanism, the said grapple may be used with any type of tractor equipped with means for engaging a'standard draw bar of the type used with a lift mechanism.

The log grapple In isz-attached to the rear end 'of:a tractor 28lso that the draw bar I4 is preferably p-ermitted to rotate about its longitudinal Larisa The tractor is then backed up to the log A (Figure 2) to be engaged by the tongs H and the operator maneuvers the barbs 31 and 38 into engagement with the said log by means of the handle 44, which he can reach while he is sitting in the drivers seat of'the'tractor. As the tractor is caused ito move forwardly, away from the log, the-locking ring 13 slides along the outwardly curved locking portions 42 and 43 thereby urging the locking portions" toward .each other. 'Movement of the'leg locking portionsAZ and 43 toward eac'h'other causes the leg gripping portions 35 and .36. to move: toward eachother a corre- J spending" distance, thus imbeddinglthe barbs 3'! and 38 intov the log A.

'The heavier the log is, or the harder it is to move, thefurther the'locking ring [3 will be urged along the locking portions and the deeper the barbs 31 and 38'will beurged to imbed themselves into said'log'A. Thus, as long as the log "grapple Iilis being: drawn by the tractor, the

barbs 37 and 38 will positively engage the log A throughthe action of the gripping ring l3 upon the leg locking portions. 42 and 43.

,A log may be released fromthe grip of said grappleAby moving the tractor toward the log the rear of a tractor having a tool lift mechanism, the combinationcomprising: a draw bar comprised of a locking ring, a pair of substantially coaxial draw bar arms secured to diametrically opposite points on saidilocking ring-and extend- V ing radially therefromin opposite directions, and a pair of hitching rods parallel with and secured to said draw arms, said rods extending beyond those ends of said draw arms remote from said ring for engaging said tool lift mechanism; a pair of tongs comprised of a pair of legs pivotally secured to each other at a point, said tongs being loosely supported within said ring at about the pivot point thereof, and said legs having gripping portions on one side of saidpivot point which curve toward each other and are terminated with integral points extending toward each other, and said legs having locking portions on the other side of said pivotpoint which curve away from each other whereby movement of said' ring away from said pivot point along said locking portions urges said gripping portions toward each other; stop means secured to the opposed surfaces of said leg gripping portions near to said pivot point, limiting the movement of said leg gripping portions toward each other; and a handle secured to one of said leg locking portions. v

2. In a log grapple for 'remoyablelsnpport upon the'rear of-a tractor, thecombination comprising: a draw bar comprised of a, substantially circular locking ring and .a pair of ,hitching arms secured to diametricallyopposite.sides of said locking ring-and extending, radially therefrom, in'opposite directions for'engagement with said tractorga pair of tongs having a pair of legs pivotally secured to each; other at a point,.said tongs being loosely supported. within said ring near the pivot point thereof, and said legs having gripping portions on one side ofsaid pivot point curving toward each. other and having locking portions on the other'sid'e of said pivot point curving away from each other, whereby movement 01 153.161 -ring along said locking; portions urges saidgri-pping portions toward each other; means limiting the movement of said gripping portions toward each other; and a han- (119 secured to one of said leg locking portions.

3. A log grapple comprisingr'a draw bar-haying a substantial-ly circular locking ring and a pair of hitchingar-mssecu-red to diametrically opposite sides of said ring and extending radially therefrom in. opposite directions; a; pair of .tongs having a pair of legs p votallysecured to each other at a point, said tongs being loosely supported within said .ring near the pivot point thereof; means adjacent-said pivot point for limiting the, diverging movement of said legs with respect to each other; and ahandle secured to one of said legs. r

NORMAN R; 'IRRER.

7 REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name, 7 Date 2,247,098 Pearse June 24, 1941 2,375,205 Barra's :May 8, 1945 2,379,797 Gilbert July 3,1945 2,402,352 Taylor June '18, 1946 2,407,993 McKee Sept. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 7 Date 7 Sweden July 2, 1.904 

